Globe, NPC Renew Alliance to Help Filipinos Stay Safe and Responsible Online

Globe and the National Privacy Commission (NPC) have renewed their partnership to help more Filipinos, particularly young people, protect their privacy and navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. The collaboration takes on greater relevance as emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly shape how people learn, communicate, and interact.

The two organizations renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on October 19, continuing their work on Kabataang Digital, the NPC’s youth-focused advocacy that equips young Filipinos with practical knowledge on data privacy, digital citizenship, and safe online behavior. The partnership will also support Safe Space 2.0, a follow-up to Globe’s Safe Space children’s book that will tackle AI and digital wellness, reflecting the need to help young people use emerging technologies responsibly.

“Protecting people online goes beyond having strong privacy policies and safeguards. People also need the knowledge and confidence to understand their rights, recognize risks, and make informed decisions whenever they go online,” said Atty. Irish Salandanan-Almeida, Globe Chief Privacy Officer and Head of the Digital Policy and Governance Group. “By continuing our work with the National Privacy Commission, we can bring practical privacy and digital safety education closer to the people and communities who need it.”

As part of the collaboration, Globe will participate in selected activities under the NPC’s Kabataang Digital Program and other awareness, educational, and capacity-building initiatives. Globe will also support these efforts through its Safe Space books and related learning materials, including the donation of copies of the second edition of the Safe Space books to the NPC after publication.

The partnership builds on Globe’s broader efforts to help Filipinos stay safe and responsible online. These include its Go Safe with Globe advocacy, which brings together initiatives that help people recognize online risks, protect their personal information, and make safer choices in digital spaces. Additionally, through its Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP), Globe provides workshops and learning modules that equip young Filipinos with practical skills on digital citizenship, privacy, cybersecurity, and responsible technology use. Since its launch in 2016, DTP has reached more than 2 million students and educators nationwide, bringing digital citizenship and online safety education to schools and communities.

More recently, Globe partnered with GMA Network on GoSafe sa Cyberspace, bringing practical online safety lessons directly to students and helping young people better recognize and respond to digital risks. Together with DTP, the initiative demonstrates how Globe is taking online safety advocacy into schools and communities where young Filipinos learn and engage.

“Building a culture of privacy starts with giving people the knowledge to make safer and more responsible choices online. Our continued partnership with Globe allows us to bring privacy education closer to Filipinos, especially young people who are growing up in an increasingly digital world,” said NPC Privacy Commissioner Jan Barcena. “By working together across government and the private sector, we can help more Filipinos understand their rights, protect their personal information, and become more responsible digital citizens.”

The collaboration reflects Globe’s continuing work with government, schools, media, and other partners to build a safer digital environment. By combining public education with partnerships that extend its reach, Globe aims to give more Filipinos practical knowledge they can use to protect themselves online.

PLDT, Smart Partner With the Securities and Exchange Commission on Responsible E-Waste Management

PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have partnered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to promote responsible electronic waste (e-waste) management across the Commission's offices nationwide.

Under the partnership, PLDT and Smart will deploy “Be Kind. Recycle.” e-waste collection bins and conduct related activities in SEC offices, enabling employees to responsibly dispose of used and broken electronics associated with telco and digital services.

These will be complemented by joint efforts to raise awareness on the importance of proper e-waste disposal and recycling among SEC employees and stakeholders.

Be Kind. Recycle. is PLDT and Smart’s flagship e-waste management program, which has already activated more than 200 e-waste collection points nationwide, in collaboration with various commercial establishments, schools, enterprises, cooperatives, local government units, professional organizations, and trade communities.

"We are honored to partner with the SEC, as it continues to be at the forefront of championing sustainability and promoting responsible business practices among Philippine companies,” said PLDT and Smart Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment towards supporting our country in managing the impacts of e-waste on our people and the environment, and in transitioning towards a circular economy,” added Pangilinan.

As part of the SEC Sustainability Week Program, the partnership aligns with the Commission’s continuing efforts to promote greater transparency on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters and advance the adoption of globally aligned sustainability reporting standards.

“The SEC strongly supports initiatives that incorporate sustainability into the core of corporate practices. We encourage all market participants to do their part in driving the shift to a more sustainable future,” SEC Chairperson Francis Lim said.

Collected e-waste from SEC employees and facilities will be turned over to PLDT and Smart’s authorized partner e-waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities, ensuring proper handling and compliance with applicable environmental and human rights laws and regulations.

PLDT and Smart’s partnership with the SEC builds on the group’s broader focus on circularity and responsible waste management, covering operations, products and services, and value chain activities.

“While we do not directly manufacture devices and electronics, we acknowledge that the use of our services and the continuous advancement of our network technology contribute to the generation of e-waste. We therefore embrace our responsibility to facilitate recovery and ensure proper disposal of consumer e-waste, particularly those associated with our products and services,” explained PLDT and Smart Chief Sustainability Officer Melissa Vergel de Dios.

Since 2023, PLDT and Smart have already collected and recovered 42.5 metric tons of e-waste, avoiding an estimated 17.3 metric tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to the carbon absorbed by 286 tree seedlings grown over 10 years.

Through the program, PLDT and Smart continue to expand the availability and accessibility of proper e-waste disposal channels nationwide by connecting grassroots communities and the general public to formal e-waste collection and recycling facilities.

Parallel to e-waste collection, Smart also works with various device manufacturers that incorporate recycled components into their modes of production and enable the offering of trade-in and trade-up programs for customers.

These efforts reinforce the shared commitment of PLDT, SMART, and SEC to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production and Goal 17 on Partnerships for the Goals.

Bloomberry’s FUNaloMAX Launches PHP 30M Year-End Campaign to Expand Digital Gaming Presence

Manila, Philippines — As part of its strategic push to broaden its digital entertainment presence, Bloomberry Resorts Corp.’s online gaming platform FUNaloMAX has launched a PHP 30M year-end campaign designed to strengthen user engagement and capture rapid growth in the Philippines’ digital gaming sector, pouring in grand prizes such as a brand-new Tesla Model 3 and 250 Apple iPhone 18 Pro units.

The rollout comes amid the increasing demand for online gaming among Filipinos. Recent industry data shows that player engagement in the Philippines has been transitioning towards digital channels, with national gross gaming revenue (GGR) projected to increase by about 17% through 2030, primarily driven by growth in the e-gaming sector.

By anchoring its Q4 expansion through a rewards program built around transparency and player trust, Bloomberry is positioning FUNaloMAX as a reliable platform in the country’s competitive online gaming space.

“Our Q4 campaign is designed to reward our players and solidify FUNaloMAX’s positioning as a premier, trust-driven digital gaming destination in the Philippines,” said Kelvin Kuan, Vice President for Online Gaming at Bloomberry Resorts Corp. “By introducing high-impact engagement, FUNaloMAX aims to set a new benchmark for transparent, user-centric digital entertainment in the industry.”

Running from October 17 to December 27, the campaign features a multi-tiered reward structure designed to sustain long-term player engagement. It combines recurring weekly prize draws with monthly and year-end incentives.

The campaign will kick off by giving away 250 Apple iPhone 18 Pro units awarded across 10 weekly draws. Players earn one entry for every PHP 5,000.00 in accumulated turnover on eligible slot and bingo games, with no raffle entry cap.

Complementing the weekly giveaways are monthly draws offering PHP 150,000 in bonus credits to two winners on November 29, followed by a PHP 1 million bonus credit prize on December 27.

Headlining the entire campaign as the grand raffle prize is a brand-new Tesla Model 3 in Red, to be awarded during the grand draw on December 27.

Driving this nationwide expansion is a foundational commitment to responsible gaming, player protection, and regulatory compliance. As a PAGCOR-licensed platform, FUNaloMAX operates under strict regulatory safeguards including Know-Your-Customer (KYC) identity verification, data security protocols, and voluntary self-exclusion tools to foster a safe gaming environment.

Under these guidelines, only eligible, KYC-verified FUNaloMAX users may participate and claim campaign prizes. Suspended, frozen, or ineligible account holders are strictly excluded from participating.

For more information and updates, visit funalomax.com or its official FUNaloMAX Facebook page.

Gambling is for 21 years old and above only. Gambling can be addictive. Know when to stop. For more information and assistance, call the National Problem Gambling Hotline at (02) 8248-9568 or email ResponsibleGaming@pagcor.ph.

Globe Supports Faster Telecom Permitting to Bring Connectivity to More Communities

Faster infrastructure approvals can help bring better connectivity to more Filipinos. Globe welcomed the progress made by local government units (LGUs) nationwide in streamlining telecommunications permits, emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation between government and the industry to accelerate network expansion, particularly in underserved and remote communities.

Permitting is a critical step between network planning and actual deployment. Reducing administrative delays allows telecommunications providers to move planned cell sites and network upgrades into construction sooner, helping improve services in communities that need them most.

That progress is gaining ground across the country. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported that 12,241 permits and clearances for telecommunications infrastructure projects had been approved across 707 cities and municipalities as of September 2026, supported by reforms aimed at simplifying local permitting processes. Executive Order No. 32, issued in 2023, streamlined requirements for telecommunications and internet infrastructure and called on LGUs to process applications within prescribed timelines and prevent backlogs.

“Faster permitting is important in bringing better connectivity to more Filipinos. We appreciate the efforts of LGUs to simplify these processes and help telecommunications providers move forward with their projects. Continued cooperation between government and the industry will help us expand our network and reach more communities, especially those that remain underserved,” said Joel Agustin, SVP and Head of Network Planning and Engineering at Globe.

The development comes as Globe continues to invest in improving its network to meet growing demand for reliable mobile and home internet services. In the first half of 2026, the company recorded ₱26.3 billion in capital expenditures, with 91% allocated to data-related initiatives. During the same period, Globe deployed 878 new 5G sites and 80,052 fiber-to-the-home lines, while its outdoor 5G population coverage exceeded 98% in Metro Manila and key cities in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Sustained network investment, supported by faster and more predictable permitting, can help move infrastructure from planning to deployment sooner. Globe will continue working with national agencies and LGUs to accelerate network rollout and extend reliable connectivity to more communities across the country.

For more information about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 Brings Immersive Entertainment and Smarter Features to the Philippines

Lenovo is expanding its tablet lineup in the Philippines with the launch of the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2, a next-generation entertainment device designed to deliver immersive audio, vibrant visuals, and greater flexibility. Officially available starting October 28, 2026, the tablet combines premium entertainment features with AI-powered tools to support modern lifestyles.

Powerful Audio Meets Stunning Visuals

At the heart of the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 is a JBL 9-unit Pro speaker system enhanced with Dolby Atmos technology. Designed to deliver cinematic sound, the system offers clearer dialogue, deeper bass, and a more immersive listening experience for movies, music, and streaming content.

The tablet can also function as a standalone Bluetooth speaker, allowing users to play music and podcasts directly from their smartphones. With Dynamic, Movie, and Music audio modes, users can customize sound according to their preferred content.

Complementing its audio capabilities is a 12.1-inch 2.5K LCD display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 support. Its High Brightness Mode reaches up to 800 nits, helping maintain visibility in brighter environments.

Flexible Design for Everyday Use

The Tab Plus Gen 2 features a 360-degree rotating kickstand that supports portrait and landscape orientations. Its adjustable design accommodates different activities, from watching films and following recipes to listening to music with friends. Users can also transform the tablet into a digital picture frame through its built-in standby mode.

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 octa-core processor, the device launches with Android 16 and is expected to receive two operating system upgrades through Android 18, alongside security patches until 2030.

AI-powered features include Lenovo AI Live Transcript with real-time translation, Lenovo Smarter Reader, and AI Notes with Lenovo Notepad. A 10,200mAh battery supports up to 15 hours of YouTube video streaming, while 45W fast charging helps reduce downtime.

Philippine Pricing and Availability

The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 will be available in the Philippines beginning October 28, 2026, with a suggested retail price of PHP 25,995.

From October 28 to November 15, 2026, qualifying buyers of model ZAHT0249PH can receive promotional freebies at participating MemoXpress, Joneco, Robinsons Appliances, Thinking Tools, Inc., and Shiritori branches, while supplies last. Rewards range from a free Lenovo Tab One for the first three buyers to in-store vouchers worth PHP 1,000 to PHP 3,000 for subsequent eligible purchasers.

With its combination of cinematic audio, high-resolution visuals, adaptable design, and intelligent features, the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 positions itself as an entertainment-focused tablet for users seeking a more versatile digital experience.